News
IMF Press Briefing on the World Economic Outlook
PRESS BRIEFING - Transcript of a Press Briefing on the World Economic Outlook by Kenneth Rogoff, Economic Counsellor and Director, Research Department, International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C., Wednesday, 25 September 2002.
Queen Elizabeth Knights Fed Chairman Greenspan
SCOTLAND - U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday and said he would always cherish the honour.
Czechs unlikely to get euro soon
CZECH REPUBLIC - The Czech Republic will not be able to adopt the European single currency before 2007 at the earliest because of its huge budget deficit, the country's new finance minister has said.
Brazil sees Sept current account surplus of $1 bln
BRAZIL - Brazil's central bank on Thursday forecast a current account balance of payments surplus of $1 billion in September.
New deadline for balanced budgets splits euro club
FRANCE - A proposal by Brussels to allow euro-zone states more time to balance their budgets has blown up into a big row between EU countries that have been making sacrifices and four members -- France, Germany, Italy and Portugal -- that were falling…
IMF hails Russian banking reforms
RUSSIA - The International Monetary Fund has hailed measures in Russia to reform the country's banking system.
IMF calls for boost to global confidence
US - International Monetary Fund Managing Director Horst Koehler said on Thursday that global growth had been hurt by financial market uncertainty and called on world financial leaders to do their bit to restore calm.
Swiss central bank to sell 283T of gold
SWITZERLAND - The Swiss National Bank (SNB) plans to sell a further 283 tons of gold by the end of September 2003 under its plan to dispose of 1 300 tons of unneeded reserves, the central bank said on Thursday.
Federal Reserve Board Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate unchanged at 1 3/4 percent, 24 September.
Argentina threatens loan default
ARGENTINA - Argentina has raised the pressure on international lenders to agree a new cash lifeline, threatening default if extra money is not forthcoming.
IMF report sees global economy recovering
US - Although downside risks are rising, the global economy is slowly recovering from a worldwide recession, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday.
CBR to introduce for ex swap deals on 26 Sept
RUSSIA - The Central Bank of Russia is introducing on 26 September an additional instrument to the bank refinancing system based on the use of foreign currency swap deals.
Poland's central bank cuts rates
POLAND - Poland's central bank on Wednesday reduced its key interest rates by a half percentage point, making its sixth cut this year against the backdrop of a sluggish economy and falling inflation.
RBI liberalises exchange control procedures
INDIA - The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday said banks authorised to deal in foreign exchange may permit importers in India to avail short-term credit for periods less than three years and amount not in excess of $20 million per import transaction…
Central Bank of Iceland Governor resigns
ICELAND - Central Bank of Iceland Governor Finnur Ingolfsson has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the insurance company VS Ltd and has resigned as Governor of the Central Bank of Iceland.
Ireland's central bank launches insurance guide
IRELAND - A new information leaflet for consumers about buying investment and insurance products was launched by the Irish central bank on Tuesday.
Polish gov't freezes top state officials salaries
POLAND - The government decided to freeze salaries of top state officials in 2003, government spokesman Michal Tober told a news conference on Tuesday. The freeze includes all senior central bank staff.
Fed holds rates steady but with rare split vote
US - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday held interest rates steady despite a hesitant economic recovery and worries about a possible war with Iraq. In an unusual move the meeting saw dissent, with two members calling for a rate reduction. This was the first…
JGBs up as BoJ buying prompts short-covering
JAPAN - Japanese government bonds rebounded on Tuesday amid bargain-hunting following last week's tumble and as sentiment improved following a successful bond-buying operation by the central bank.
Germany 'at risk of breaching deficit limit'
GERMANY - The Bundesbank yesterday warned that Germany was at risk of breaching the European Union's 3 per cent deficit limit this year and cast doubt on its chances of balancing its budget by 2004.
Thai central bank puts loans case to Basel panel
THAILAND - The Bank of Thailand has asked member countries of BIS Basel Committee to curtail loans to hedge funds, according to Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, the central bank's deputy governor overseeing stability of financial institutions.
India's central bank opens note exchange centres
INDIA - The Reserve Bank of India has opened centres for the exchange of soiled notes at its three branches in Mumbai.
Bank of Albania brief gov't on money launder fight
ALBANIA - Bank of Albania governor Shkelqim Cani reported in a hearing session in parliament on 23 September, evening, on measures undertaken from the Central Bank, concerning the war on money laundering, as one of the most important means of the war on…
Poverty too high says head of Trinidad's c bank
TRINIDAD - The governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Ewart Williams, says while the country has experienced economic growth over the last eight years, not enough had been done to improve the quality of life for its citizens.